Šimonytė warns Budrys's fate would be a signal to the Kremlin

Former Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė has sharply criticized the Social Democrats' approach to governance, particularly their handling of key ministerial positions and internal party politics. She commented on the perceived tension within the Social Democrats' council meetings, suggesting it stems from a feeling of being objects rather than subjects of discussion.

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But speaking seriously, it seems to me that many people in Lithuania constantly feel tension because of this Santa Barbara method mastered by the Social Democrats, when each time it seems that the film's ending will be clear, then suddenly the plot shifts to some line, and you realize there will be another hundred episodes.

Šimonytė drew a parallel between the Social Democrats' internal struggles and the dramatic twists of the soap opera "Santa Barbara," implying a constant state of flux and unpredictability in their decision-making processes. "But speaking seriously, it seems to me that many people in Lithuania constantly feel tension because of this Santa Barbara method mastered by the Social Democrats, when each time it seems that the film's ending will be clear, then suddenly the plot shifts to some line, and you realize there will be another hundred episodes," she stated.

Addressing the situation surrounding Foreign Minister Gabrielius Budrys, Šimonytė noted that even President Gitanas Nausėda has expressed concern about his potential removal. She questioned why Budrys, who appears suitable even to the opposition, faces internal opposition within his own party and coalition. Šimonytė suggested that Budrys is not truly considered "one of their own" by the Social Democrats, implying he is more aligned with President Nausėda's agenda.

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He is not one of their own, because it is probably no big secret that this is a person delegated essentially by Mr. Nausėda. So he is not one of their own to the Social Democrats.

Šimonytė warned that replacing Budrys, who she believes adheres to Lithuania's long-term foreign policy, would be a detrimental move. "And I think it would be a very bad signal to our allies, but at the same time a very favorable signal to, say, the Kremlin itself, if the Social Democrats suddenly decided that now is the time to replace K. Budrys with some party crony," she asserted. She pointed out that the Social Democrats and their coalition partners seem more concerned about how Russia might interpret Budrys's statements than about the potentially negative interpretations from allied nations.

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And I think it would be a very bad signal to our allies, but at the same time a very favorable signal to, say, the Kremlin itself, if the Social Democrats suddenly decided that now is the time to replace K. Budrys with some party crony.